Museum of the Great Plains

At the Museum of the Great Plains, the natural and cultural history of the Great Plains of north America is studied and shown in many exhibits and programs that will be enjoyed by all members of the family. Special events include a twice-yearly encampment of 1830s trappers and hunters, plus re-enactments of 19th and 20th century events and activities.

Hide Tipi – A buffalo hide tipi dominates the space devoted to Native Americans in the new museum. Its supple skins cover soaring lodge poles, creating a living space filled with the tools and household goods used by the nomadic tribes of the southern Plains.

Tingley Store – The recreated Tingley Store has already attracted international visitation. The Jake Tingley family operated an Indian trading store in Anadarko, Oklahoma Territory, beginning in 1901. Their hand-crafted moccasins, cardboards, buckskin clothing, jewelry, and other items brought in travelers and collectors. The majority of the store’s contents contains items made from 1920 to 1960, but the collection includes over 3,200 pieces of 20th century Plains Indians artifacts assembled by the Tingleys. Friends of the Museum worked to keep the collection intact and as a source of pride for all Oklahomans.

Red River Trading Post – Living history demonstrations are held in May and November at the reconstructed Red River Trading Post. The two-story trader’s cabin inside the fortified log stockade is filled with buffalo hides, beads, and trapper’s supplies used in the frontier fur trade. The cabin with living history interpreter is open during peak summer months from Wednesday through Sunday, and by appointment during winter.

Steam Engine and Grounds – Have you ever wanted to be an engineer on a vintage locomotive? See a one-room school? Watch the prairie dogs? Kids of all ages enjoy climbing on board the 1926 steam locomotive near the restored Elgin Depot and one-room school. Both evoke memories of train travel in its heyday and pioneer school days. In addition, the grounds contain an array of farming equipment used to tame the vast grasslands.

Prairie dogs frolic near the post and in the adjoining Elmer Thomas Park. The popular park offers picnic areas jogging paths, and a small lake with fountain, ducks, and geese.